Romania Publishes Draft Government Decision on Aid Scheme for 2025 Potato Production

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) has published on its official website (www.madr.ro) the draft Government Decision approving a de minimis aid scheme to support the production of table potatoes in 2025.

The draft is currently under public consultation and can be accessed in the "Decision Transparency – Draft Legislation" section: https://www.madr.ro/proiecte-de-acte-normative.html

Purpose of the Initiative

This legislative initiative aims to support Romanian farmers cultivating table potatoes, against the backdrop of:

• A significant trade balance deficit for this product,
• A decline in cultivated areas and overall production in recent years.

The program seeks to:

• Increase the area under potato cultivation and boost domestic production,
• Encourage the consumption of local products,
• Support farmers facing rising production costs,
• Preserve jobs and promote rural development in traditional potato-growing regions.

Key Provisions of the Support Scheme

The de minimis aid will be granted to farmers who:

• Cultivate at least 0.3 hectares, and
• Achieve a minimum yield of 6 tonnes per hectare.

The financial support amounts to €200 per hectare, with a total budget allocation of 15 million lei.

The scheme also encourages farmer cooperation to improve access to:

• Agricultural inputs,
• Equipment,
• Distribution channels, and
• Bargaining power in the market.

This program will contribute to:

• The efficiency of agricultural holdings,
• The development of short supply chains, and
• Consumer access to local, fresh, high-quality products.